LIFELINE

Here he is...LIFELINE! You can call him "the doctor"...'cause he's always operating! OH!!!

Okay, enough...enough...as I said, this is Lifeline, one of two medics for G.I. Joe...well, unless you count G.I. Jane, but she was for the 12 inchers...oh, and Med-Alert during the DTC era (that's Direct To Consumer). Bah, anyway...both Doc and this guy were the only two medical dudes on the whole Joe roster...so I guess they were pretty busy. This version of Lifeline is pretty damn close to the vintage model...except for some new accessories. New and  plentiful!

First, I'll tell you this...unlike Doc, Lifeline stood out. Let's face it...he's wearing bright red with white and has "rescue" printed on his one leg...hard to freakin' miss! He always had that dorky feel to his character. I never had the vintage toy, but on the cartoon...he just gave that impression. I mean, he's the non-combative guy, after all. Doctors aren't "action"...they ain't cool! Are they? Hmmm...not really...unless you're on the verge of death. I'll always remember his PSA on the 'toon. For those amongst ye who do not know...G.I. Joe always had a little public service announcements at the end of each episode...to teach kids and add educational value to a show about super army men fighting weirdos in masks. These PSAs gave kids real-world tips and advice about...stuff. One topic was health! Lifeline saw some kids in a grocery store going to buy candy bars to replenish their energy after some b-ball (or something). He quickly stopped 'em and advised they choose fruit instead as candy would only provide a quick burst of energy and not really provide real nutrition. Now you know. Oh, but as Lifeline helpfully tosses the kiddies a couple apples form the fruit stand...they munch into 'em WITHOUT PAYING!!! Ooh, how I hate that these days...even as kids, we always laughed and criticized this move...health over honesty. Pay first, eat later...jerks.

Back on topic. Lifeline now has a completely removeable helmet. The old version's was sculpted on. He also now has places to store a knife, a side arm, and his syringe-gun thing. Hmmm...not bad!

Check out that spread o' accessories! The old Lifeline only came with the case, a sidearm, and I think the respirator...but this new one has a butt load of stuff! You get a big stretcher with strap, IV bad and hose, those shocky paddle things (I forget the proper term), and even a big ol' rifle. Huh?! Okay, the sidearm I can see...even the knife...but that rifle? Lifeline's supposed to be a pacifist, isn't he? Maybe the gun actually shoots little needle bullets? Hey, Spirit has a rifle that shoots mini arrows...why not? Imagination is key!

Open up that case and check out the detail! Wow...neat-o! Most of that detail is just sculpted on, but still cool. There's a place to store the IV pouch and even the paddles. They actually fit in snuggly! You can cram the tubes and such in there if you really want.

What's not to love?! Hey, Lifeline may still give off that pansy vibe to some, but he's one of two (or three...or four) medics for the whole Joe team! Aside from inoculations he's gotta heal the wounded on the battlefield. Figures fir nicely on the stretcher. The strap has no real way of tightening down, though, so the figure may slip and slide...a bit...not too much. There's a hole to hold up the IV gear on the head supports. The paddles and air breathing apparatus work out nicely. Neat little accessories.

............HE'S GOT THOSE HANDS THAT HEAL!............

So, in conclusion, Lifeline will always be one of the most iconic and important characters of the G.I. Joe team. He may be a dorky pacifist, but he fights the good fight nonetheless!

Oh, did I mention this figure was part of the final wave of 2011...the "lost wave"? No? Well he was. I paid some eBayer more money for this than it was worth...well, monetarily. Lifeline himself...he's priceless.